Americans who won't ship equipment outside U.S.

I can understand not wanting to ship to areas where you might have little protection from fraud, but Canada or Britain?? What is with that? Is it that you think you'll have to fill out reams of paperwork if the product crosses a border? It isn't like that anymore, One small form they stick on the box, if you ship via USPS. American companies go abroad to make more money, by not shipping outside the U.S., you cut off at least 10% of your potential market.

The U.S. Census Bureau and CBP have issued dozens of new regulations affecting exporters. Ignorance of the laws is no excuse, and in their ultimate wisdom, they have now decided to begin assessing fines and "liquidated damages" for minor violations, even simple typos on paperwork.

Tell me again why I should risk a $500 fine to ship a $75 eyepiece to Canada?

Richard, you have to look at this from our point of view. Most of us who sell gear are looking to make a simple and quick unload--the closer to home, the better. It's much easier to iron out any issues that might arise. If a buyer in Britain or Canada has issues with an item, like feeling it isn't what he wants and wants to ship it back, then you have to go though that hassle. Second, if I have a bicycle or household item to get rid of, I can usually get rid of it at a garage sale or via an ad in the local paper or Craigslist--no muss, no fuss. But you can't do that with good astronomy gear. So, our next best alternative is Astromart. But we're still trying to keep things simple and hassle free as we can, so we opt to ship domestically. Many of us just don't have much experience shipping overseas, and many of us who have done it have found it to be enough of a hassle not to want to do it again. And I'm sure fraud is as alive and well in Canada and Britain as it is anywhere else in the world.

That said, I MIGHT be willing to enter another overseas/cross boarder transaction IF I felt good about the likelyhood that I wouldn't be dealing with a buyer who isn't going to balk for all the wrong reasons, IF I felt that the item was going to arrive in one piece, IF I felt sure that I was going to actually recieve what I paid for, or a lot of other reasons. I will say that a foreign buyer or seller who has a really good transaction history on A-mart would make me feel much more comfortable.

I'm not in the international shipping business, and I don't want to be. But, I could be accomodating for the right transaction. Never say never.

There are folks here who sell a LOT of gear. They might be more game for it. But for a lot of those of us who don't sell often, closer to home just works better.

Richard:

You asked this same question last year. You know the answer.

http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=725455&poll_id=&news_id=&page=

Jon

I'm one of those who usually adds "CONUS only" to my ads (though I never refuse to ship to Alaska/Hawaii). About half of International buyers ask and expect us to falsify customs documentation by listing the item as a "Gift" or at a much lower price than it sold for. When I tell the buyer I will not falsify customs documentation they often get angry or give me the long, sad story of how unfair it is to live in a nation with unfair taxes, etc. A few have even begged.

It's not worth it, though I do make exceptions with those I have interacted with on the Internet and pretty much anyone in Canada as long as they know I don't falsify paperwork.

I just spent 3 hours sending a mirror to Canada. Why 3 hours? I went to the post office and stood in line for 20 minutes; then learned I can only ship Priority Mail or Express Mail to Canada. No tracking with Priority and it's $49. Express with insurance starts at $102. What?!?!?! So, I drive to the local UPS store and they are cheaper (around $35 for ground), but I need the phone number
of the recipient. Sure, I'll just pull out my smart phone -- nope, I don't have a smart phone. Plus I'm not going to wait hours for an email reply from the buyer.

I drive back to the post office and there's 20-25 people in front of me. I get to the counter and the postal employee sighs when I walk up. "Where's you customs form?" He directs me to fill it out and come straight back. The next person who walks up to the counter has over a dozen items. Another 10 min. wait. I'm not sure what the buyer is willing to pay for shipping. So, I decide on Priority Mail -- guess what? They can only insure the mirror for $110. What?!?!?!

I love shipping to Canada.

Well, I've got an excellent offer from Nigeria!